See the bluffs rising from
the lake; experience the beauty of a secluded and natural Ozark
forested shoreline; admire the deep blue clear waters, and take in
the utter peace and serenity of this Ozark jewel. Just a short
15-minute drive from Mountain Home, Norfork Lake is located in
north-central Arkansas and extends into south-central Missouri. With
up to 550 miles of completely un-commercialized shoreline, the lake
has a varying water level that fills the basin with up to 30,700
surface acres of pristine water within its 40 mile length. As part
of the White River system of flood control lakes, Norfork Lake was
created from the impounded waters of the North Fork River.

Norfork was the first lake to be created on the White River system.
Constructed between 1941 and 1944, this has given Norfork a unique
position among its sister lakes. All of the land surrounding Norfork
Lake is the property of the US Army Corps of Engineers, builders of
Norfork Dam and powerhouse. Commonly called “The Corps Strip” or “The
Government Strip”, this buffer of land is not determined by any
particular distance from the shoreline but is actually based on
elevation above mean sea level. This makes for an area of completely
undeveloped land that varies from a few hundred feet to more than a
half mile away from the lake’s normal shore. With this number based
on elevation, the pristine shoreline is all natural Ozark forest. The
only structures to be seen are a few fine homes sitting high atop
bluffs, the occasional small family/fishing resort, or one of the 10
commercial marina and public park facilities strategically located
about the lake.

The ancient Ozark Mountains are old enough that much of the topsoil
has eroded away, leaving bare rock and gravel for rainwater to
percolate and filter through. This natural filtration combined with
the fact that no other lakes or major rivers empty into Norfork Lake
makes its waters incredibly clear. This same cleanliness also makes
water sports, scuba diving, and fishing the lake’s top activities.
People travel from miles around to play in or on this incredibly
clean, clear lake.

For lake-goers looking for
a body of water with unrivaled natural beauty, Norfork Lake
definitely stands out among Ozarks lakes. Norfork Lake is not very
crowded because there are no major metropolitan population centers
within close proximity. This leaves Norfork Lake secluded and pure
from the commercialization plaguing many other Ozark lakes. Since the
lake is not nearly as crowded as others, fishermen, water sports
enthusiasts, and nature lovers enjoy this big lake’s vast expanse of
openness and hundred’s of secluded coves to fish, hang out or just
hide out in.

Norfork Lake and the
Ozarks Mountains are calling you. Why not visit us soon!